Ultralight bolt action - build one? Or just buy a Howa Superlite?

XLR has the atom magnesium chassis, and you can get a folder for it. Just checked out the site and total weight of it, with carbon grip, and carbon but stock and folder. 32.04 oz or 2 lbs. Available for rem700 foot print, and many others. Go big has one in stock as well although he lists it as 3 lbs. XLR has a weight configurator on their site and it works out to 2 lbs.
https://gobigtactical.ca/XLR-ATOM-MAGNESIUM-700SA-BLACK-CARBON-SF/

Do a short 18" barrel, or 16" and with the short folding stock it is going to be your smallest package. Unless you go with a BLR takedown, and carry it in your pack and quickly put it together at your blind. 20" barrel, and a few options for calibers. It takes 1/2 a min to put together.
https://www.browning.com/products/f...YeVNU8U71tQcsRz-5p6saIq6lx7_EmwpkdvciijZhJBj3
 
wallz said:
BLR takedown, and carry it in your pack and quickly put it together at your blind. 20" barrel, and a few options for calibers. It takes 1/2 a min to put together.
Click to expand...
I never thought of a take down that's a pretty creative solution actually. Not as "cool" as an SBR with a folding stock of course lol
 
Also check out this guy, he lives up here, he’s a great shot and love thinkering with guns and weight and length and so on and so forth!!
 
Astute Observer said:
Well - Eastern Ontario, really dense bush around where I'm at. So I'm looking for a light, short distance brush gun. My blind is difficult to get to, that's why I want it short and light - but even then once I'm there, it's not a long distance. All shots within 100m at most. A 12" .308. or even moreso a 12" .338 Federal still packs a wallop sufficient for deer
Click to expand...
Have you looked into a 12.5" MRA Maverick in 308? Super compact and lightweight and Canadian made!
 
remington jim said:
I have Both 308 s and a 338 Fed - animals die the same from either one 👍
Click to expand...
Thanks, you just saved me $1500 or so 🤪🫣🫣


I fantasize about the Fed ever since I heard about it.... But down here the .338 proj are getting expensive $1 for shchetty sP, an then it's got to like those..
Most under .30 cal are reasonable about .65-80c
 
WhelanLad said:
I fantasize about the Fed ever since I heard about it.... But down here the .338 proj are getting expensive $1 for shchetty sP, an then it's got to like those..
Most under .30 cal are reasonable about .65-80c
Click to expand...
My competition shooting is either 9x19mm for IPSC or 6.5 creedmoor for PRS - in both, I consider projectile cost is a big factor. But for hunting, I'll shoot a few rounds each year to confirm zero, and maybe one or two rounds on an actual hunt. So for me, projectile cost isn't a massive factor.

I just want a bigger bore than .30 because the big wide bullets loose less performance in short barrels (same reason 300 blackout supersonics retain energy well in SBRs). So I even considered .358 Win or .375 Raptor, but I figured recoil in a < 5 lbs rifle would push past my comfort zone. I can shoot .338 federal no prob (I know this as I've shot 8x47 before, which is hotter).
 
DGY said:
You want light, Canadian, a great guy, alpine riflecraft!
https://alpineriflecraft.ca/
Have a look…. Or don’t cause you won’t save any money going that route but you will have the lightest best mountain rifle out there for sure!!
Click to expand...

Mike’s one of the nicest guys there is, works of art he’s building there. My sheep partner will be packing one of these this week. Im eager to finally see one in person.
 
NE Ontario still hunting rifle is a 16” 92 44mag with a red dot on top. It’s pretty light and handy.

Not a lightweight option, but a compact and affordable one. I had a Cva scout compact takedown that I’d break down, throw in gun socks and place in a backpack with extra clothing layers in between. Hike into position hands free in the dark, especially nice for water and beaver dam crossings. Rifle assembles in seconds at the base of the tree. Considering buying a 360 buck-hammer takedown and chopping it. A takedown bergara case would be the ideal setup. No idea why no dealers are bringing these cases in..
 
Well I would buy the superlite and try it out I must be lucky cuz mine shoots amazing with the 20 inch barrel in 308 I don't care for 2 stage triggers so I bought a Jard 3 minute fix done I have 3 Kimbers a Hunter a Montana and a M A
And while the HOWA isn't the same it's damn good for the money also have several tikkas nothing wrong with them either but definitely not a light as that Howa
 
Astute Observer said:
I need someone to talk me out of making a bad financial decision.

So I'm currently obsessed with building an ultralight bolt action brush rifle. I'm thinking 5 lbs and a 12" - 14" barrel. I'm debating whether to buy a Howa Superlite and cut, crown and thread the barrel... Or build something with the following components list.

ComponentNameMin Weight (oz)Max Weight (oz)Price
ActionTerminus Apollo Lite TI
20.00​
20.00​
$1,825.00​
BarrelIBI carbon prefit 14"
36.0?​
40.0?​
$1,350.00​
Barrel NutIBI barrel nut
2.65​
2.65​
$55.00​
StockWildcat Composite
16.50​
21.00​
$450.00​
RingsWarne Hyperlite
2.33​
2.33​
$160.00​
ScopeLeuopld VX Freedom 1.5-4x
9.60​
9.60​
Already Own​
BrakePVA Ultralight Jet Blast
1.37​
1.37​
$170.00​
Bottom MetalHawkins Precision Hunter DBM
2.80​
2.80​
$325.00​
MagazineMDT Polymer 3 round / 10 round
1.38​
4.80​
Already Own​
TriggerTriggertech Special 2-stage
1.5?​
1.5?​
$360.00​
TOTAL
5.88 lbs​
6.63 lbs​
$4,695.00​

Meanwhile, a Howa Superlite with a 16" barrel would weigh 4.3 lbs (68.8 oz), obviating the need to buy the stock, action, barrel, barrel nut, bottom metal and magazine. All in with optic, rings and brake it would come to 5.12 lbs. So it's even lighter too, and that could be reduced even further by cutting the barrel to 12" with a crown and threading by a gunsmith. EDIT: Yeah, realized that's illegal. Nevermind.

All in the cost would be about $1800, so less than half the price.

What would the Howa be giving up?

Howa has a 90° bolt throw instead of 60° that the Terminus Apollo Lite TI has...

The Howa would only take the proprietary 3 round mag, no option for a 10 round.

The Howa trigger would be far inferior to the Triggertech trigger

The Howa isn't available in all the custom calibres (was thinking .338 Federal)

So - convince me not to blow my money on a custom rifle.
Click to expand...
You must do
Astute Observer said:
Well - Eastern Ontario, really dense bush around where I'm at. So I'm looking for a light, short distance brush gun. My blind is difficult to get to, that's why I want it short and light - but even then once I'm there, it's not a long distance. All shots within 100m at most. A 12" .308. or even moreso a 12" .338 Federal still packs a wallop sufficient for deer
Click to expand...
I believe a Winchester Model 1894 will fit the bill.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom